Lincoln's St Marks Shopping Centre is marking 15 years since it was opened. In the third of a series of features, Ed Grover discovers how the site's past as a railway station has influenced its current form...

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The St Marks development was completed in the 1996, and was one of the largest retail projects the city has ever seen.

As explored in previous features, the remains of 20 monks were found during excavations and thousands of gallons of diesel were discovered under the ground.

Development director Giles Walter, who oversaw the St Marks project for construction firm Simons, explains how the site was shaped into the landmark it is today.

"Two things we did find that were really interesting were two turntables next to the High Street," said Mr Walter.

"And people probably won't know, but if you go into Lakeland you can still see the edge of the old platform.

"When St Marks was first built as a railway station, it never went beyond High Street, so the trains used to come in and they turned the engines round.

"There were two turntables discovered still under the ground, because then when the railway line went straight through, they were redundant. They were huge.

"But the only thing we kept was the station building itself, which was knackered.

"Even when trains were still running, there were acrow props keeping it up, so we had to completely repair it and look after it.

"We repaired what we could and replaced what was too far gone.

"Another interesting feature is the signal box.

"If you go into St Marks you'll see that there looks to be the old signal box, and that's where the management office is.

"Actually what happened was the existing structure was knackered but we took the design and rebuilt it from scratch.

"I think there was also one bit of St Marks signage that we put back.

"What is also of interest is the obelisk in the square.

"We were discussing with the planners how we going to lay it out and we wanted to create an open area.

"It was mentioned that Lincoln city had this obelisk that had sat on High Bridge opposite Stokes in the seated area that overlooks the canal.

"We didn't get it straight from the bridge, as it could have been decades that it was sitting around somewhere.

"My understanding is that it was moved because it was harming the bridge and was too heavy for it.

"We sent the stonemasons to have a look at it, and it was in a pretty awful state.

"But we got the original designs and photographs of it and recreated it from new stone.

"And what you see is a copy, other than I think two or three stones at the very top that were from the original.

"If you look at the top you'll see the colour is slightly different."

Giles Walter is now a director of Tillbridge Developments.